Jan 08 Registering to vote brings out emotions among Florida felons By Joshua Replogle and Adriana Gomez Licon, Associated Press The normally humdrum bureaucracy of registering to vote brought tears to the eyes of some Floridians on Tuesday when most felons regained their right to vote under a state constitutional amendment. Continue reading
Jan 08 For 25 years, the U.S. cancer death rate has fallen. Here's why By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press NEW YORK — The U.S. cancer death rate has hit a milestone: It's been falling for at least 25 years, according to a new report. Lower smoking rates are translating into fewer deaths. Advances in early detection and treatment also… Continue reading
Jan 08 Government shutdown won't delay tax refunds, administration says By Marcy Gordon, Jill Colvin, Associated Press Taxpayers who are owed refunds will be paid on time, despite the government shutdown that has closed many federal agencies, a Trump administration official said Monday as concern mounted over the risk that the payments could be delayed. Continue reading
Jan 07 Watch 9:11 What does R. Kelly's alleged culture of abuse suggest about how society views black women? A new Lifetime documentary describes in graphic detail abuse allegations against singer R. Kelly from dozens of women, many of whom were minors when they met the R&B star. Chicago-based music journalist Jim DeRogatis, who has covered this story for… Continue watching
Jan 07 How a question over citizenship could affect the entire Census count By Sudhin Thanawala, Associated Press One expert said the question would worsen the undercount of Latinos and non-citizens compared with other groups. Continue reading
Jan 07 Clemency granted to Tennessee woman sentenced to life at age 16 By Kimberlee Kruesi, Associated Press Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam granted clemency to Cyntoia Brown, who had been serving a life sentence but who will be released on parole on Aug. 7 — exactly 15 years from the date she was first arrested. Continue reading
Jan 07 Growing opioid crisis adds to Puerto Rico's problems By Dánica Coto, Associated Press "Hardly anyone talks about this problem in Puerto Rico. It's like it doesn't exist," says Rafael Torruella, program director for a needle exchange program in Puerto Rico. Continue reading
Jan 06 Watch 5:16 'Near-term pain' from shutdown: No paychecks on Friday Thousands of furloughed government workers will not get their paychecks on Friday, a consequence of the partial government shutdown that has moved into its third week without signs of compromise. And if the standoff continues into February, millions who rely… Continue watching
Jan 06 Watch 11:46 Midwest battles to keep invasive Asian carp out of the Great Lakes By Megan Thompson, Mori Rothman, Michael D. Regan Asian carp are invasive fish that grow fast, jump high and have taken over large swaths of the Mississippi watershed. And now, state and federal governments are worried the Great Lakes are next. On everything from electric fences to contracted… Continue watching
Jan 06 Former Defense Secretary Harold Brown dies at 91 By Associated Press Harold Brown, who as defense secretary in the Carter administration championed cutting-edge fighting technology during a tenure that included the failed rescue of hostages in Iran, has died at age 91. Continue reading